Fire restrictions have been imposed the Far North, as the district basks in a warm, dry autumn.
The summer fire ban was lifted after rain in March - but the council says the fire risk has risen sharply in the past week.
People wanting to light fires in the open need permits again until further notice.
Principal rural fire officer Lance Johnston says the "on-again, off-again" fire status is as frustrating for firefighters as it is for the public.
However, Met Service is forecasting another two weeks of fine weather, so restrictions must be imposed, he says.
